VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter).

We are forever indebted to Gerald Ford

Huntington Beach, Calif. — Gerald Ford was placed in one of the most difficult positions any president of the United States has ever been put in.

He was not elected.

Because of this he lacked the support and mandate of the people.

His predecessor, Richard Nixon, had disgracefully resigned.

The trust and confidence in the presidency was at an all-time low. Congress wanted to limit the power of the presidency.

But in spite of all negatives weighing against him from the start of his presidency, Gerald Ford did an outstanding job of healing the deep wounds caused by the Watergate scandal.

Though his pardon of former President Nixon was controversial and greatly disliked at the time, Ford, the true visionary that he was, saw that our nation had to get beyond Watergate so that the crippling aftereffects of it wouldn't continue to linger and hamstring the presidency and the nation.

Gerald Ford proved to be not only a decent man with great character and integrity but a true conciliator. Through a spirit of openness and sincerity, he helped restore our nation after one of the darkest times in its history, bringing confidence, trust, stability and hope back into our government.